Concerning CopperTouch and the Coronavirus
We at COPPERTOUCH, LLC understand the gravity of the situation the world is facing now.
Many questions have been posed to us, some general and some questioning the science and even our own intentions.
We are all looking for reassurance and the most accurate information on how to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please read the following:
Is copper effective against coronaviruses?
Here is what we have been able to learn about copper’s effect on coronaviruses.
In a recent study by US health organizations , copper was shown to be more effective than any other surface tested at deactivating (killing) the HCoV-19 coronavirus. In fact, copper deactivated HCoV-19 faster than SARS-COV, a coronavirus of great concern a few years back. (https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v1.full.pdf )
This recent study adds to the knowledge gained in 2015 by Warnes, Little, and Keevil (mBio · November 2015 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.01697-15) who demonstrated that copper deactivated coronaviruses in 20 minutes or less when the coronaviruses were applied in droplet form at typical room conditions. When the coronaviruses were applied in a simulated finger touch contamination, the coronaviruses were inactivated in 3 minutes or less on copper (the researchers did not report testing at 1 or 2 minutes). As reported in the US study above, the viruses survived for days on other common surfaces (glass, tile, plastics, stainless steel). Inactivation on dry copper was most effective in this testing. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283685229_Human_Coronavirus_229E_Remains_Infectious_on_Common_Touch_Surface_Materials?fbclid=IwAR2uqqZ96Ah5YrqjJVzCuC0R5B1elQ6nhrmTWwbvJrvPMI8gK2gL7l6H6yY)
In addition to copper having been shown to be effective against SARS and MERS (both coronaviruses) (https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/copper-destroys-respiratory-viruses/) coronaviruses were also shown to be killed on copper infused cloth. (https://www.copperclothing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Coronavirus-Test-Report-2014.pdf)
Because we do not have access to the actual HCoV-19 corona virus cells, based on the research reports and our knowledge of the manner in which copper kills germs (including bacteria and viruses), we do believe that CopperTouch will be effective in killing it.
We believe there is adequate research to show that copper kills coronaviruses, including the most recent stories to hit the media which back up the kill of HCoV19 and also indicating that copper killed HCoV19 faster than it killed SARS.
In response to publications that the Virus ’19 is killed in 4 hours on copper, people wanted to understand why the 4 hours are broadcast out there when we say “60 seconds kill time”.
A) Copper Touch testing: Laboratory testing is routinely set up to standardized testing across many different locations with a wide array of metals. Thus the numbers can be related one to another. These tests may or may not relate to real life applications. When Accuratus Labs was approached to do the testing for CopperTouch, it was suggested to use actual people under varying conditions of exposure. That was simply “impossible” because there were too many variables that they could not control with people. Instead lab testing was done using artificial skin that is used for all antimicrobial testing which they do every day in this lab. They have tested the GOJO Purell and the commercial/restaurant cleaners from EcoLabs. A section of the artificial skin was contaminated with the microbes being tested. The CopperTouch piece was rubbed across this location for 60 seconds. Then the kill count was measured using their microscopes. In 60 seconds, 94% were dead.
B) Routine Lab Testing: A test design that results in the 4 hour time frame which is observed in many different reports of copper and viruses uses the microbes carried in a liquid which is deposited directly on the metal being tested. When they are immersed in this liquid, one can imagine it takes longer for the individual microbes to gain contact directly with the copper. The liquid is deposited using the protocol for this type of testing and would not be considered “dry” as your hands are when they are carrying various microbes. Having the normal condition with microbes on your palms and fingers, the copper has a much higher probability of functioning as the “killer of germs” that we know and understand. Further, this is called “steady state” testing. The liquid carrying the germs is simply resting on the copper. Which brings us to point # C:
C) Why is Copper Touch More Quickly Effective: The critical key to CopperTouch functioning so well is that fact that you move it around your palms and between your fingers which are relatively dry. If you placed it in your palm and simply held it in place, it would take much much longer to kill the germs. The agitation of the copper moving in your relatively dry palm and fingers is that you are continually rolling over the microbes again and again. The copper ions emitted from the metal require the microbe to be extremely close to the copper as they move in for the kill. The conductivity of copper is harnessed as this “fatal attraction” takes place. The copper ion essentially punctures the outer membrane protecting the microbe and its ability to live. When the membrane is punctured—death comes quickly. And most likely, during the rolling and rubbing sequence in your hands and fingers, each microbe may get hit by more than one copper ion which accelerates and triggers the death knell.
Also, see our FAQs, and more in depth information can be found on our science page.
Be safe, stay healthy
The team at CopperTouch, LLC
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